The Chicago Bears have been making moves as college pro days unfold, aiming to bolster their roster ahead of the draft. General Manager Ryan Poles and Director of Player Personnel Terry Koziol have been active participants, but it's Offensive Line Coach Dan Roushar who's been logging the most miles. With recent disruptions at the center and left tackle positions-thanks to Ozzy Trapilo's knee injury and Drew Dalman's retirement-the Bears are on the hunt for fresh talent.
Roushar has been spotted at several pro days, including those of Kansas State’s Sam Hecht and Georgia Tech’s Keyland Rutledge. However, his absence at Iowa’s pro day raised some eyebrows.
Iowa is renowned for producing top-tier offensive linemen, and Logan Jones, a standout center in this draft class, was there. Jones has been drawing comparisons to Garrett Bradbury, whom the Bears recently acquired.
So, why skip Iowa’s pro day? It’s not just Logan Jones they missed out on.
Gennings Dunker, a promising guard, is also generating buzz. The Bears’ absence could suggest disinterest or perhaps a strategic move to keep their cards close to the chest.
Jones seems like a player who would fit the Bears' mold-athletic, intelligent, and tenacious. Yet, his age (turning 25) and pass protection limitations might be factors in their decision.
Historically, the Bears have avoided offensive line prospects from powerhouse schools known for churning out NFL talent, such as Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Iowa. This trend could be coincidental, but it’s worth noting.
Reflecting on the Bears’ past successes on the offensive line, many came from strong programs: Olin Kreutz from Washington, Kyle Long from Oregon, and Cody Whitehair from Kansas State, to name a few. On the flip side, some of their misses, like Marc Colombo from Boston College and Chris Williams from Vanderbilt, reinforce the importance of scouting the player, not just the school.
As the Bears navigate their draft strategy, the focus remains on finding the right fit to strengthen their offensive line, whether that means revisiting traditional pipelines or breaking new ground.